аЯрЁБс > ўџ *
,
ўџџџ
!
"
#
$
%
&
'
(
)
џџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџџьЅС '` јП (. bjbjLULU 7V .? .? FЖ џџ џџ џџ Є к
к
к
к
к
к
к
ИЄ ИЄ ИЄ ИЄ ФІ ,
eЯ Ъ ќЈ ( $В $В $В $В Г Г Г мЪ оЪ оЪ оЪ оЪ оЪ оЪ $ /д h ж  Ы к
єФ џВ Г єФ єФ Ы к
к
$В $В л Я Х Х Х єФ к
$В к
$В мЪ Х єФ мЪ Х Х : дХ Ь к
к
ДЦ $В №Ј РОm][UЬ ИЄ єФ Ц
јЦ ф 5Я 0 eЯ ЊЦ
#з Х #з ДЦ #з к
ДЦ D Г & )Й d Х Н  С у Г Г Г Ы Ы Х Г Г Г eЯ єФ єФ єФ єФ
Є ИЄ
ИЄ ю
к
к
к
к
к
к
џџџџ Parenting support toolkit for AOD workers
Booklet 3: Service and resource guide
This booklet supplements Booklet 1 and the Quick reference card. Alcohol and other drug (AOD) workers can use it to enhance and extend their ability to address or respond to parenting and child wellbeing issues.
The Service and resource guide outlines available statewide parenting, child and family services and their purpose, including services for vulnerable children and families, specialist AOD family programs, Centrelink and Family Tax benefits and entitlements. The guide also provides other resources and information links about parenting and children.
A key to symbols in this resource
Throughout this resource you will find symbols that refer you to other parts of the toolkit for further information.
When you see the icon, related information can be found in Booklet 1: Exploring parenting.
When you see the icon, related information can be found in Booklet 2: Information and tools.
When you see the icon, related information can be found in Booklet 3: Service and resource guide (this booklet).
The information icon directs you to the information box, which contains issues for AOD workers to consider when working with clients who are parents.
The tip icon provides practical tips and ideas. These may assist you when working with clients who are parents.Љ Copyright State of Victoria 2011
This work is copyright and if reproduced must be cited as follows:
Parenting Support Toolkit for Alcohol and Other Drug Workers, Victorian Government Publishing Service.
Published by the Mental Health, Drugs and Regions Division, Victorian Government Department of Health, Melbourne, Victoria.
Љ This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. All rights reserved. Except for the purposes of education, fair dealing and use within the intended environment, no portion of this document should be reproduced or copied for any purposes, including general exhibition, lending, resale and hire.
Authorised by the State Government of Victoria, 50 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Victoria.
Printed by: ON-DEMAND, 323 Williamstown Road, Port Melbourne 3207
Also published on: http://www.health.vic.gov.au/drugservices/pubs/index.htm
Acknowledgements
Section 3: Service and Resource Guide of the Parenting Support Toolkit for AOD was updated in 2011 by the Department of Health. The following acknowledgements appeared in the original 2005 publication.
The Parenting Support Toolkit for AOD Workers was developed in partnership by the Victorian Parenting Centre (now known as the Parent Research Centre) and Odyssey House Victoria. The toolkit was developed by:
Kylie Burke
Dr Stefan Gruenert
In addition, the following people from the Victorian Parenting Centre and Odyssey House Victoria contributed their time, knowledge and ideas to the development of the toolkit:
Fiona Arney Dianne Ridley
Leah Brennan Susan Rogers
Rochelle Calia Helen Thomas
Warren Cann Richard Thurecht
Sasha Kerin Menka TsantefskiVincent Lagioia Neos Zavrou
Jan Matthews
The development of the toolkit would not have been possible without the assistance of workers and parents from across Victoria. We would like to thank all the parents and workers who helped shape the content of the toolkit by participating in key informant consultations, phone interviews, discussion groups and the piloting of the toolkit.
Thank you to the following workers from Barwon Health; Drug Treatment Services and Odyssey House Victoria who generously gave their time to trial the toolkit with their clients and gave valuable feedback to the project team:
Vanessa Allen Sarah Miller
Steven Ball Laura Petrie
Vicki Davies Robyn Schilders
Matt Gleeson
Many thanks to external consultants, Ros Burnett and Sharon Dawe for their invaluable assistance in shaping the content of the toolkit.
Finally, we would like to thank the members of the Steering Committee for their guidance in the development of the toolkit:
Rose McCrohan Zoe Hancock
Lee Cooney Louise Steffen
Ros Burnett Suzie Taylor
Sue Krzanich Tina Martin
Colleen Clare Ange Lajoie
Barbara Romeril Julie Petering
Tricia Szirom Laura Dearle
Katrina Currie
The Parent Research Centre
The Parent Research Centre is a not for profit, independent research and development organisation founded in 1997. Its mission is the pursuit of new knowledge of parenting that enhances the wellbeing and resilience of children and their families.
The Centre engages in a range of activities including:
 research and evaluation projects relating to parenting and family intervention
 developing programs and resources for parents and professionals
 trialling and evaluating programs for families
 delivering professional training programs
 providing expert advice and consultation to Government and non-government agencies on issues related to parenting education and support.
The Centre has as one of its key areas of activity the development of programs and strategies that address the particular needs of the most vulnerable families in our communities.
The Centre has developed a wide range of expertise in supporting parents of all age-groups of children and whose need vary from general parenting support through to highly specialised individual programs.
Odyssey House Victoria
For over 30 years, Odyssey House Victoria has operated effective alcohol and other drug programs, providing opportunities for change and growth by reducing drug use, improving mental health, and reconnecting people to their family and the community.
Odyssey House provides a number of residential and community based treatment services to some of the most vulnerable Victorians with a range of complex issues. Our residential rehabilitation facility in Lower Plenty provides medium to long-term accommodation and intensive treatment for up to 85 residents and their children. This therapeutic community provides a safe yet challenging drug-free environment in which to explore and address drug related problems, whilst addressing the needs of clients children within the family program. Odyssey also operates a 15 bed, short term residential program in regional Victoria near Benalla.
Community Services programs include:
 specialist in-home child, parenting and family support
 individual, family and group counselling
 financial counselling
 employment and vocational training and support
 youth peer support, outreach, counselling, and intensive case management within community schools and the general community
 services catering for those with forensic issues and co-occurring mental health problems
 supported accommodation programs in over 25 houses around Victoria
 prevention and early intervention workshops and presentations to sporting clubs and other community groups across Victoria
As a Registered Training Organisation, Odyssey Institute offers nationally accredited training in alcohol and other drugs and community mental health work to professionals using a combination of online and face-to-face teaching. For those in treatment, qualifications in areas such as Hospitality & Food Handling, Business Administration, Horticulture and Construction are available. These programs are designed to give students the confidence and skills to take up employment as they begin a new life.
Odyssey House programs are based on a strong commitment to evidence based practice through research into innovations and improvements to program delivery. The Institute has been at the forefront in developing and evaluating programs for families, evaluating service needs and developing accredited training courses for professionals in the field.
Booklet 3: Service and resource guide
This booklet provides information about services and resources to promote child safety and development, and build parenting skills.
As individual services can change rapidly, this guide describes the main types and provides a central contact to find out about services available in your local area. This booklet does not provide a comprehensive list of all local services or attempt to include copies of all available resources.
Culturally responsive services should be provided to families from an Aboriginal or culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) background. This booklet lists Aboriginal community-controlled organisations that provide a range of family and parenting services. This booklet also provides links to parenting information in a range of community languages.
In your work with vulnerable parents, including families with an unborn child, you may have a significant concern about the wellbeing of a child. In these circumstances it is your responsibility to contact Child Protection or Child FIRST, depending on the type of concern. Information on appropriate reports/referrals to these services and contact information on these services is provided in the section on services for vulnerable children and families.
Wherever possible we have attempted to provide links to resources that are free. This list is not exhaustive and there are many other resources that you and your clients may find helpful. A number of the websites listed provide information, advice, fact sheets and downloadable resources for parents and professionals.
The information listed has two main purposes. You can use it for background information about issues that are relevant to your clients, or you can provide it directly to clients as a resource. There will be times, however, when information is not enough to help meet your clients goals. On these occasions, a referral to a service that can provide more intensive support will be the most appropriate action.
At a minimum, it is recommended that you explain any information that you give to a client. The following steps may help your clients to get the maximum benefit from the resources you use with them:
1. Provide a rationale for how the information or resource is relevant to your clients goals.
2. Personalise the information by highlighting the key parts that are relevant or by writing your clients name on the top.
3. Clarify any misunderstandings or more complex information. Ask your client if they have any questions.
4. Check with your client if they think the resource will be useful. Ask them if they will use it.
5. Encourage your client to set a goal for using the resource (see p. xx for more information on goal setting).
6. Next time you see them, ask your client how they went with the resource or any goals they have set themselves based on the information provided.
7. Praise any attempts to use resources, including reading them or trying out strategies.
It is expected that you will add your own service contact details and favourite resources into your toolkit over time. A few samples are included to begin your collection.
Information and contact details for a wide range of services for families can also be found through Infoxchanges interactive Service Seeker. See their Victorian website at www.vic.serviceseeker.com.au.
Parenting services, support and education
This section outlines the types of services that your clients can access directly to increase their skills, capacity and confidence in parenting.
Key parenting services funded by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and the Department of Planning and Community Development are described below. An overview of the types of parenting education and support available is also provided.
Use this section to identify appropriate services for clients who need support to build a strong relationship with their child and need to build their parenting skills. This might range from managing their childrens behaviour, to establishing appropriate routines. Clients who are isolated parents or who are experiencing conflict with their partner about parenting issues will also benefit.
The services listed provide a range of group, individual and one-off seminar programs for parents. If you are unsure what type of program would best suit your client, many of the services will be able to advise you on this. Many of the listed services also provide a range of written, digital or downloadable resources related to parenting and children.
Parent education
 A wide range of local parenting programs and services are offered universally across the state that give parents the opportunity to receive support and to develop new parenting skills and build parenting confidence.
 Programs might include topics such as promoting childrens development, managing difficult behaviour, developing a positive relationship, teaching children new skills, or home management. They may also cover specific topics such as helping children to sleep, managing mealtimes or dealing with bullying.
 Programs are offered in a variety of formats. These include group programs, individual (one to one) or workshops.
 The length of programs also varies from one-session workshops to eight-week group programs and long-term individual parenting work (12 months or more).
 Education programs are usually accessible through family support agencies, local councils and neighbourhood houses.
 Signposts, Exploring Together and the ABCD Parenting Young Adolescents Program are just some examples of regular courses run widely by a number of service providers in rural and metropolitan localities in English and other languages.
 Find out about local programs by contacting support organisations or your local council directly.
 Contact your local regional parenting services (see Quick reference card) or Parentline (13 22 89) for current program details.
Parent support groups
 Parent support groups offer parents a chance to gather and share their concerns and experiences about parenting.
 Parent support groups offer parents the opportunity to be supported by others who may be in similar situations, and to be exposed to new social networks.
 Parent support groups are often facilitated by family support agencies, local councils or neighbourhood houses. They may also be run by special interest groups such as disability groups.
 Find out about groups running locally by contacting support agencies, your local council directly or Parentline
(13 22 89) for a referral.
 A search of the Internet may also identify useful support groups.
General parenting services
Parentline
 Parentline is a telephone information, advice, education, counselling and referral service for parents of children of all ages.
 It is staffed by professional workers and is an excellent starting point for workers and parents wanting to identify local services that might support individual parenting needs.
 To contact Parentline, call &№ №1 3 2 2 8 9 b e t w e e n 8 a m a n d m i d n i g h t w e e k d a y s , a n d 1 0 a m a n d 1 0 p m w e e k e n d s .
R e g i o n a l p a r e n t i n g s e r v i c e s
" R e g i o n a l p a r e n t i n g s e r v i c e s p r o v i d e i n f o r m a t i o n , a d v i c e a n d e d u c a t i o n t o p a r e n t s a n d p r o f e s s i o n a l s o n a w i d e r a n g e o f p a r e n t i n g i s s u e s .
" T h e y a r e l o cated in each of the eight departmental regions (two in the North & West Metropolitan Region) and are staffed by experienced parent educators.
 Contact details for each region are included on the Quick reference card.
Parenting Research Centre
 A statewide service that undertakes research and training into parenting and evaluates parenting programs.
 Provides evidence-based training and consultancy to professionals in relation to parenting issues and how to apply the results of its research.
 Develops and disseminates a range of resource materials to increase the knowledge about parenting for parents and professionals.
 Runs limited group and individual parenting programs based on current research directions. Most programs are only available to parents living in the northern region of Melbourne.
 Can be contacted on &№ №( 0 3 ) 8 6 6 0 3 5 0 0 o r v i a e m a i l a t i n f o @ p a r e n t i n g r c . o r g . a u .
P a r e n t i n g s k i l l s
P a r e n t i n g R e s e a r c h C e n t r e
W e b s i t e p r o v i d e s d e t a i l s o f t h e c e n t r e s c u r r e n t a c t i v i t i e s , i n c l u d i n g a t r a i n i n g c a l e n d a r a n d r e s o u r c e c a t a l o g u e . I t a l s o c o n t a i n s a l i n k t o t h e i r A u s parenting site, which contains downloadable tip sheets for parents on a range of parenting topics. Resources that can be ordered include the positive parenting tip sheet and video series, and an audio tape and CD-ROM of translated positive parenting resources.
HYPERLINK "http://www.parentingrc.org.au"www.parentingrc.org.au
Raising Children Network
An Australian parenting website that provides comprehensive, practical, expert child health and parenting information and activities.
HYPERLINK "http://raisingchildren.net.au/"www.raisingchildren.net.au
National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN)
Provides free brochures on a range of topics including listening to babies, children and young people, alternatives to smacking, the importance of play and being a dad.
HYPERLINK "http://www.napcan.org.au"www.napcan.org.au
KidsLife
A parenting resource providing sound information, guidance and support from preconception through pregnancy, and also about: child health and wellbeing; development; early learning; schooling; and entertainment. A community initiative of the Australian Scholarships Group, dedicated to serving parents and families as they strive to raise healthy, happy and well-educated children.
HYPERLINK "http://www.kidslife.com.au"www.kidslife.com.au
ParentLink
This website provides a good collection of parenting guides and tips that cover a wide range of topics such as being a young parent, parenting at childrens different developmental stages, bedwetting and parents rights.
HYPERLINK "http://www.parentlink.act.gov.au/parentguides/parentg_default.htm"www.parentlink.act.gov.au
Parentzone
The Anglicare Victoria Parentzone web portal provides links to Anglicares Victorian Parentzone resources and websites. Parentzone is the title of three of the regional parenting services.
HYPERLINK "http://www.anglicarevic.org.au/parentzone/"www.anglicarevic.org.au
Triple P International
Provides information relating to the Triple P: Positive Parenting Program and related resources, including tip sheets, books and videos and professional training options.
HYPERLINK "http://www.triplep.net"www.triplep.net
Helping parents talk with children
The blue polar bear and The flying dream
Developed as part of the Dual diagnosis support kit produced by the NSW Department of Community Services, these two books for children aim to assist workers, carers and parents to introduce the issues of parental dual diagnosis (mental illness and substance misuse), explore concerns and encourage positive coping and help-seeking behaviours.
The blue polar bear: an illustrated story book for 57 year olds. HYPERLINK "http://www.community.nsw.gov.au/docswr/_assets/main/documents/dualdiagnosis_polar_bear.pdf"http://www.community.nsw.gov.au/docswr/_assets/main/documents/dualdiagnosis_polar_bear.pdf
The flying dream: an illustrated book for 812 year olds. HYPERLINK "http://www.community.nsw.gov.au/docswr/_assets/main/documents/dualdiagnosis_flying_dream.pdf"http://www.community.nsw.gov.au/docswr/_assets/main/documents/dualdiagnosis_flying_dream.pdf
Dual diagnosis: a resource for caseworkers
Chapter 4 Talking with children and young people about parental dual diagnosis discusses common concerns and strategies for talking with children and young people about their parents substance misuse or mental health issue.
HYPERLINK "http://www.nscchealth.nsw.gov.au/carersupport/fami/ddkit/003744999.pdf"http://www.nscchealth.nsw.gov.au/carersupport/fami/ddkit/003744999.pdf
Dual diagnosis: a resource for parents
This booklet has useful tips on how dual diagnosis can affect parenting, the way it affects children and things that parents can do to help their children. It also includes information on foster care and support services.
HYPERLINK "http://www.community.nsw.gov.au/docswr/_assets/main/documents/dualdiagnosis_parent.pdfpdf"http://www.community.nsw.gov.au/docswr/_assets/main/documents/dualdiagnosis_parent.pdfpdf
7 steps to safety
A kit for families with children of all ages that has information, tips and activities for families to work together to help children feel, and be, safe at home. It includes a section on making a care plan for times of crisis when a parent may be unable to care for a child.
HYPERLINK "http://www.childrenandfamilies.nt.gov.au/Families/7_Steps_to_Keeping_Children_Safe/index.aspx"http://www.childrenandfamilies.nt.gov.au/Families/7_Steps_to_Keeping_Children_Safe/index.aspx
Better ways to better days
A booklet designed for young people whose parent or carer has a mental health and/or drug and alcohol problem.
HYPERLINK "http://www.copmi.net.au/jsp/resources/files/bet_way_bet_day.pdf"http://www.copmi.net.au/jsp/resources/files/bet_way_bet_day.pdf
Building social networks
Many parents with drug and alcohol problems lead very isolated lives. Often, these parents do not readily engage in local community activities or in their childs school life due to fear of being stigmatised as drug users, being judged as bad parents, or having their children removed.
Assisting parents to overcome their social isolation by helping them to develop new relationships and repair old ones is likely to enhance their drug treatment outcomes. Workers can help their clients build supportive social networks in several ways:
Encourage and support parents to speak with other parents. This may be on visits to maternal and child health or community centres, at the gates of their childs school or kindergarten, when attending parentteacher interviews, or at a local community centre.
Encourage your clients to give their children a low-cost birthday party and invite other children to attend. They may even invite a couple of other parents to help out. Support parents with any anxiety they may have about this and offer alternatives to drugs for managing this anxiety.
Encourage parents to do things as a family where they can meet other families. For example, BBQs, picnics, or days at the beach.
Encourage parents to foster good friendships among their children by inviting other children over to their house after school and on their childs birthdays.
Recreational activities are good for children. What does your clients child like to do? Is he or she a child that likes to play sport, play music, or has a hobby? Lots of activities can be organised for less money than you may think through the school or local council. Some child and family welfare agencies also have programs for children. Councils and libraries often have school holiday programs.
Neighbourhood houses
Neighbourhood houses (also known as community houses or community centres) are for the enjoyment of local communities. They offer people the opportunity to meet other people in their neighbourhood, participate in activities, and find out about services and resources available in the community.
Activities vary from facility to facility, however, they will usually include:
the opportunity to learn new skills for pleasure, recreation, or preparation for employment
adult community education courses
support groups
occasional care services
recreational activities for children
opportunities to learn and improve English
house maintenance
voluntary work.
Services are generally free or have a moderate fee, usually with reduced rates for concession card holders.
To find a local neighbourhood house, visit the Association of Neighbourhood Houses and Learning Centres website at www.anhlc.asn.au or contact your local council.
Specialist services for parents with drug or alcohol problems and their children
This section summarises services across V i c t o r i a t h a t p r o v i d e p a r e n t i n g o r c h i l d h e a l t h s e r v i c e s d i r e c t l y t o p a r e n t s w h o a r e e x p e r i e n c i n g p r o b l e m s w i t h a l c o h o l o r d r u g m i s u s e . C a l l D i r e c t l i n e o n &№ №1 8 0 0 8 8 8 2 3 6 o r a l o c a l c o u n c i l f o r t h e c o n t a c t d e t a i l s o f t h e s e s e r v i c e s .
A n g l i s s M a t e r n i t y D r u g and Alcohol Service (AMDAS)
Support for pregnant women.
Care program  City of Yarra
A tailored foster care program that aims to support parents with drug or alcohol problems to look after their children.
Chemical Dependency Unit Maternity Services (Geelong)
Specialist obstetric midwifery, childbirth education and support.
MacKillop Family Services  Western
Substance Abuse Family Support (SAFS) program for substance-dependent parents and their children.
Mary of the Cross
Parenting support and family counselling (including counselling for children).
Monash Medical Centre (Southern Health)
ADAPT (Alcohol Drugs and Pregnancy Team) program for pregnant women.
Odyssey House Victoria
Statewide residential treatment for parents and their children (aged 012 years) at their therapeutic community, including parenting support.
Royal Womens Hospital Drug Information Centre
Information on drugs and pregnancy.
Salvation Army  Bridgehaven
Residential program for mothers and their young children.
The Mirabel Foundation
Support for carers and children who have been orphaned or abandoned due to parental illicit drug use.
Uniting Care Moreland Hall Intensive Playgroup
Supported playgroup for families affected by alcohol and other drug use.
Windana
Safe at Home family support program and parenting support group for parents with drug or alcohol problems.
Women and Childrens Alcohol & Drug Service (DASWest)
Family support and the Daisy Program for substance-dependent mothers and their children.
Womens Alcohol and Drug Services (WADS)
Antenatal and postnatal care for pregnant women and new mothers.
Vulnerable children and families
This section provides information on services available for vulnerable children and families. These services aim to build family resilience to promote the safety, stability and development of children. In working with vulnerable parents, including families with an unborn child, you may have a significant concern about the wellbeing of a child. In these circumstances it is your responsibility to contact Child Protection or Child FIRST, depending on the type of concern. Information on appropriate reports/referrals to these services and contact information on these services is provided in this section.
This section also includes information on services for families experiencing relationship difficulties with their partner or other members of their family, as well as support services for families experiencing family violence.
The following provides a list of specialist services available for vulnerable families to build their family resilience and promote the best interests of children.
Motherbaby units
A specialist mother and baby inpatient service for women with a mental illness and their babies. Referral to one of these units can be made directly by any health professional.
Austin Hospital  Banksia House: &№ №( 0 3 ) 9 4 9 6 6 4 0 7 o r H Y P E R L I N K " h t t p : / / w w w . a u s t i n . o r g . a u " w w w . a u s t i n . o r g . a u
M o n a s h M e d i c a l C e n t r e : &№ №( 0 3 ) 9 5 9 4 1 4 1 4 o r H Y P E R L I N K " h t t p : / / w w w . s o u t h e r n h e a l t h . o r g . a u / m o t h e r b a b y u n i t " w w w . s o u t h e r n h e a l t h . o r g . a u / m o t h e r b a b y u n i t
W e r r i b e e M e r c y H o s p i t a l M e r c y M e n t a l H e a l t h M o t h e r B a b y U n i t : &№ №( 0 3 ) 9 2 1 6 8 4 6 5 o r H Y P E R L I N K " h t t p : / / w w w . m e r c y . c o m . a u / " w w w . m e r c y . c o m . a u
T h e E n h a n c e d M a t e r n a l a n d C h i l d H e a l t h S e r v i c e
T h e E n h a n c e d M a t e r n a l a n d C h i l d H e a l t h S e r v i c e a s s e r t i v e l y r e s p o n d s t o t h e n e e d s o f c h i l d ren and families at risk of poor outcomes, in particular where there are multiple risk factors.
This service is provided in addition to the suite of services offered through the universal Maternal and Child Health Service.
It provides a more intensive level of support, including short-term case management in some circumstances.
Support may be provided in a variety of settings, such as the familys home, the maternal and child health centre or other locations within the community.
Families receiving the Enhanced Maternal and Child Health Service are eligible for an average of 15 hours of service per family in metropolitan regions and an average of 17 hours of service in rural regions.
The primary focus of the Enhanced Maternal and Child Health Service is families with one or more of the following risk factors:
drug and alcohol issues
mental health issues
family violence issues
families known to Child Protection
homelessness
unsupported parent(s) under 24 years of age
low-income, socially isolated, single-parent families
significant parentbaby bonding and attachment issues
a parent with an intellectual disability
children with a physical or intellectual disability
infants at increased medical risk due to prematurity, low birthweight, drug dependency or failure to thrive
Aboriginal families who are not linked into, or who require additional support to access, maternal and child health services.
Family Services
The aim of Family Services is to promote the safety, stability and development of vulnerable children, young people and their families, and to build capacity and resilience for children, families and communities.
The target group for Family Services is vulnerable young people and their families who are:
likely to experience greater challenges because the child or young persons development has been affected by the experience of risk factors or cumulative harm
at risk of concerns escalating and becoming involved with Child Protection if problems are not addressed.
Family Services provide a comprehensive range of services and approaches. These include:
a strengths-based approach and comprehensive needs and risk assessment
identification of pathways and key transition points that focus on early intervention, prevention and diversion
capacity to provide intensive, multidisciplinary responses.
Child FIRST
Twenty-four Child FIRST (Child and Family Information, Referral and Support Teams) have been established in designated subregional catchments across Victoria to provide a community-based referral point into Family Services.
Contact details for your local Child FIRST site can be found at HYPERLINK "http://www.cyf.vic.gov.au/family-services"www.cyf.vic.gov.au/family-services.
Child FIRST teams can also provide information and advice to AOD staff who are considering making a referral to Family Services or Child Protection.
Specialist early parenting centre services
Victorian early parenting centres are health services staffed by qualified nurses and early childhood practitioners specialising in infant health and early childhood development.
The centres offer a range of intensive parenting support programs to vulnerable families from pregnancy to when their children are four years of age. The centres work with families that require additional support to care for their infants and build a strong relationship with their child.
The services provided include residential programs, group and home-based services. The length of stay ranges from a day stay to several weeks.
Early parenting centre services seek to:
assess childrens health and development needs
build parenting skills and ability to care and nurture their child
enhance the bond between a parent and their infant to promote healthy child development
provide families with other support they require to meet their childs needs, including referrals to services in their local community
provide training, education and consultancy for professionals.
Referrals to an early parenting centre service can be made directly to your local early parenting c e n t r e :
M e r c y H e a l t h O C o n n e l l F a m i l y C e n t r e : &№ №( 0 3 ) 8 4 1 6 7 6 0 0 o r H Y P E R L I N K " h t t p : / / w w w . m e r c y . c o m . a u / H o s p i t a l _ C l i n i c a l _ A n d _ M e n t a l _ H e a l t h _ S e r v i c e s / O C o n n e l l _ F a m i l y _ C e n t r e / O _ C o n n e l l _ F a m i l y _ C e n t r e / " h t t p : / / w w w . m e r c y . c o m . a u / H o s p i t a l _ C l i n i c a l _ A n d _ M e n t a l _ H e a l t h _ S e r v i c e s / O C o n n e l l _ F a m i l y _ C e n t r e / O _ C o n n e l l _ F a m i l y _ C e n t r e /
T w e d d l e C h i l d a n d F a m i l y H e a l t h S e r v i c e : &№ №( 0 3 ) 9 6 8 9 1 5 7 7 o r H Y P E R L I N K " h t t p : / / w w w . t w e d d l e . o r g . a u " w w w . t w e d d l e . o r g . a u
Q u e e n E l i z a b e t h C e n t r e : &№ №( 0 3 ) 9 5 4 9 2 7 7 7 o r H Y P E R L I N K " h t t p : / / w w w . q e c .org.au"www.qec.org.au
Each of the early parenting centres websites also has a range of resources, vodcasts and podcasts available for all families to access.
Family intervention services
There are three family intervention services which are provided in the North & West Metropolitan Region, Hume and Barwon-South Western region.
The target group of family intervention services includes families of children aged under 10 years who are experiencing significant parenting difficulties or whose children exhibit disruptive, defiant or aggressive behaviour.
This service provides a short-term intensive prevention and early intervention service, initially based on the Positive Parenting Program (Triple P), that assists parents to acquire skills and behaviours associated with strengthening the bond between a parent and child.
The service is delivered through group work, individual support and telephone assisted self-directed interventions. The service also provides training and consultancy for other professionals.
Aboriginal child and family services
The provision of services that are culturally responsive and meet the needs of Aboriginal families is critical. Aboriginal families may prefer to access services through their local Aboriginal community-controlled organisation, or choose to access a mainstream service.
There are a number of Aboriginal community-controlled organisations in Victoria that provide a range of child, family and parenting services for Aboriginal families including:
Ballarat and District Ab o r i g i n a l C o - o p e r a t i v e &№ №( 0 3 ) 5 3 3 5 5 3 4 4
B e n d i g o a n d D i s t r i c t A b o r i g i n a l C o - o p e r a t i v e &№ №( 0 3 ) 5 4 4 2 4 9 4 7
D a n d e n o n g a n d D i s t r i c t A b o r i g i n a l C o - o p e r a t i v e &№ №( 0 3 ) 9 7 9 4 5 9 3 3
G E G A C G i p p s l a n d a n d E a s t G i p p s l a n d A b o r i g i n a l C o - o p e r a t i v e &№ №( 0 3 ) 5 1 5 0 0 7 0 0
G o o l u m G o o l u m A b o r i g i n a l C o - o p e r a t i v e &№ №( 0 3 ) 5 3 8 1 6 3 3 3
G u n d i t j m a r a A b o r i g i n a l C o - o p e r a t i v e &№ №( 0 3 ) 5 5 6 4 3 3 3 3
M i l d u r a A b o r i g i n a l C o r p o r a t i o n &№ ( 0 3 ) 5 0 2 2 1 8 5 2
M u n g a b a r e e n a A b o r i g i n a l C o r p o r a t i o n &№ №( 0 2 ) 6 0 2 4 7 5 9 9
M u r r a y V a l l e y A b o r i g i n a l C o - o p e r a t i v e &№ №( 0 3 ) 5 0 2 6 3 3 5 3
N j e r n d a A b o r i g i n a l C o - o p e r a t i v e &№ №( 0 3 ) 5 4 8 2 3 0 7 5
R a m a h y u c k a n d D i s t r i c t A b o r i g i n a l C o r p o r a t i o n &№ №( 0 3 ) 5 1 4 3 1 6 4 4
R u m b a l a r a A b o r i g i n a l C o - o p e r a t i v e &№ №( 0 3 ) 5 8 3 1 2 0 1 0
S w a n H i l l A b o r i g i n a l H e a l t h S e r v i c e &№ №( 0 3 ) 5 0 3 2 5 2 7 7
W a t h a u r o n g A b o r i g i n a l C o - o p e r a t i v e &№ №( 0 3 ) 5 2 7 2 2 0 3 8
W e s t e r n S u b u r b s I n d i g e n o u s G a t h e r i n g P l a c e &№ №( 0 3 ) 9 3 1 8 7 8 5 5
W i n d a M a r a A b o r i g i n a l C o r p o r a t i o n &№ №( 0 3 ) 5 5 2 7 2 0 5 1
V A C C A V i c t o r i a n A b o r i g i n a l C h i l d C a r e A g e n c y &№ №( 0 3 ) 8 3 8 8 1 8 5 5 .
R e s o u r c e s
P a r e n t L i n k
G u i d e s a n d i n f o r m a t i o n f or Aboriginal parents.
HYPERLINK "file:///Users/user/Documents/1.%20work%20in%20progress/2511-DoH-Parenting%20support/www.parentlink.act.gov.au/parenting_guides/indigenous"www.parentlink.act.gov.au/parenting_guides/indigenous
Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency Limited (VACCA)
Provides information and support services to Aboriginal children and their families. Co-developer of Koori ABCD Parenting Program.
HYPERLINK "http://www.vacca.org/"www.vacca.org
Programs to assist families known to Child Protection
The following intensive support services are available to families known to Child Protection.
Family Coaching Victoria  integrated placement and reunification services
Family Coaching Victoria is currently being piloted in selected locations across Victoria and these services are focused on children aged 02 years, 1015 years and Aboriginal children.
The aim of Family Coaching Victoria is to prevent first-time placement in out-of-home care or to reunify children to their families within a short timeframe, when they have entered care for the first time. Referrals for this service are received from Child Protection.
The service provides a therapeutic child and family assessment and support for up to 12 months. Support is individually tailored to meet each familys needs from a range of services including intensive services, therapeutic treatment and support, residential and in-home parenting support, practical support, respite and childcare.
Aboriginal Family Restoration and Aboriginal Family Preservation programs
Aboriginal Family Preservation and Aboriginal Family Restoration programs aim to prevent placement or enable the return home of Aboriginal children by enhancing safety and care provided within the family.
The services work intensively with families, with the Aboriginal Family Restoration service also offering a residential component. Seven programs are funded across the state and are auspiced by regional Aboriginal community-controlled organisations.
Families First
Families First services provide intensive, in-home family crisis counselling and life-skills education to prevent unnecessary dissolution of families in times of crisis where protective issues are present. Referrals for this service are received from Child Protection.
These services seek to reunify children back to their parents care from placement in out-of-home care for selected children involved with Child Protection by increasing life skills and coping ability.
Caseworkers have a case load of two families at any one time, providing on average between 10 and 15 hours of service a week. Families also have access to support 24 hours a day with an on-call service.
Parenting assessment and skill development services
Parenting assessment and skill development services provide intensive therapeutic support to vulnerable infants and their families referred by Child Protection high-risk infant teams. The program is delivered in a residential setting or in the home by community service organisations and early parenting centres.
They provide a specialised independent assessment of a parents capacity to care for their child and to inform about Child Protection and Childrens Court decision making. The service also includes a skill development component to support parents to build their parenting skills and capacity to care for their child.
For further information on the above services refer to the Children, Youth and Families Division website at HYPERLINK "http://www.cyf.vic.gov.au/child-protection-family-services/family-and-early-parenting-support"www.cyf.vic.gov.au/child-protection-family-services/family-and-early-parenting-support.
Responding to concerns about a childs safety and development
In working with vulnerable parents, including families with an unborn child, you may have a significant concern about the wellbeing of a child. In these circumstances it is your responsibility to contact Child Protection or Child FIRST, depending on the type of concern.
Child FIRST
A referral to Child FIRST should be considered if, after a review of the available information, your concerns about a childs welfare are likely to have a low to moderate impact on the child, where the immediate safety of the child is not compromised. A Child FIRST referral is the best way of connecting children and the families to the services they need.
On receiving a referral from a professional or community member the Child FIRST team will conduct further assessment of the family and may consult an experienced community-based child protection worker who is based in each Child FIRST team. This assessment may lead to the involvement of a local family services organisation.
In most circumstances Child FIRST will inform you of the outcome of your referral. Where a Child FIRST team or a registered Family Services organisation forms a view that a child or young person is in need of protection they must report the matter to Child Protection.
Contact information for Child FIRST teams is provided on page 48 of this booklet.
Child Protection
A report to Child Protection should be considered if after consideration of the available information, your concerns about a childs welfare are likely to have a serious impact on the childs immediate safety, stability or development, or the concerns are persistent and entrenched and likely to have a serious impact on the childs development.
Upon receipt of a report containing such factors, Child Protection will seek further information, usually from professionals who may also be involved with the child or family, to determine whether further action is required. In determining what action to take, Child Protection will also consider any previous concerns that may have been reported about the child or young person. In most circumstances Child Protection will inform you of the outcome of your report.
Information fact sheets are available to AOD workers on when to make a referral to Child Protection. See HYPERLINK "http://www.cyf.vic.gov.au/child-protection-family-services/library/abuse"http://www.cyf.vic.gov.au/child-protection-family-services/library/abuse.
Victorian Child Protection services
This is the statutory child protection service provided by the Department of Human Services, which is able to intervene to protect children and young people at risk of significant harm.
For concerns about the immediate safety of a child phone the After Hours Child Protection Crisis Line on &№ №1 3 1 2 7 8 .
F o r a l l o t h e r n o t i f i c a t i o n s o f c h i l d a b u s e s e e b e l o w o r H Y P E R L I N K " h t t p : / / w w w . c y f . v i c . g o v . a u / c h i l d - p r o t e c t i o n - f a m i l y - s e r v i c e s / l i b r a r y / c o n t a c t s " w w w . c y f . v i c . g o v . a u / c h i l d - p r o t e c t i o n - f a m i l y - s e r v i c e s / l i b r a r y / c o n t a c t s .
C h i l d P r o t e c t i o n n o t i f i c a t i o n s ( m e t r o p o l i t a n )
E a s t e r n &№ №1 3 0 0 3 6 0 3 9 1
N o r t h &